Man of few warts

Right from the face wash, the shaving products, skin cream for night to cosmetic injections like Botox and Fillers, men are all charged up to be a part of this “glam world”. And why not? Everyone desires to look good at all times.

Skin care for men

Teens to mid-20s

Due to hormonal changes, this age group usually suffers oily skin problems like open pores, black heads, acne/pimple scars, and tanning. Men who have oily skin should avoid facials. But don’t be disheartened, you can do clean-ups and skin polishing for glowing skin. If you have acne [pimples] breakout, start using a salicylic acid based cleanser. For extensive acne problem, rush to your dermatologist at the earliest for medical treatment. In case of scar formation, take a few sessions of chemical peels. If you have a sensitive skin, you could run into razor burns when you start shaving. In this case, avoid alcohol-based after-shave lotions and use a calming lotion instead.

20s-30s

The role of skin care for men actually starts at this age when wrinkles begin to appear and puffiness under your eyes starts getting noticeable. Most of that damage can be repaired by right skin care products and minimal skin care on a regular basis. If you have recently developed dark circles under your eye, stop intake of alcohol, cigarettes and caffeine. Botox or injectable fillers are treatment options that can be considered if those lines bother you, but you could still do without them at this stage. If early pigmentation has become a nuisance giving a patchy look on the face, there are many specialised whitening creams available in the market. Skin polishing is a good option to prevent pigmentation in future and can be done once in six weeks.

30s-40s

I feel this is the best time of a man’s life and especially when he gets some time to think about himself. A must time for use of botox, lasers and fillers. Botox for those frown lines on forehead and crow’s feet that prevent you from giving away that charming smile and fillers for the laugh lines and facial drooping. If the tan and pigmentation is what pulls down your confidence, ask your doctor about treatments available. It’s time you take a plunge in this new world of technologies. If going to the beach and taking your shirt off makes you bother about the hair on the chest, back and armpits, remember that you can zap that permanently with a few sessions of laser hair removal. So we know Salman Khan is not the only one flaunting his bare chest. Though exercise and lifestyle modification will help in curbing that belly fat, if you still see that ugly bulge, don’t let it bother you. You don’t even have to go under the knife. Just a few sessions of treatment will take away 2-8 cm of those extra inches around your belly.

40s-50s

Since the physiological processes are on a regression, skin turnover also slows down and so regular exfoliation once a week is a must. You can also opt to do skin polishing [microdermabrasion] or chemical peels once in two months to maintain your skin. If your vision is also deteriorating, the frown lines on forehead will have to be zapped with Botox shots. Now one thing which might start bothering you in this decade is the slow and gradual sag on the lower face and the double chin that has just started. A few sessions of therapy for double chin and radiofrequency treatments for sagging skin can avoid surgery for next 20 years at least. Again the option of laser hair removal, fillers and skin rejuvenation will depend a lot on individual skin type. In case the receding hair line [male pattern alopecia] sets in, hair transplantation is a good option.

Above 50s

Life for you starts at 50. Before that you are not living for yourself. Now with most responsibilities off your head and you getting some pre-retirement time, you will be amazed to see those frown lines, crow’s feet, sagging of the jaw line, under eye bags and, worst of all, a distinct pigmentation patch on the forehead and around the eyes. If you are someone who has never really believed in the concept of skin care and sunscreen, it’s time you take a bow. Next would be to visit your dermatologist with a detailed list of all your concerns. I am sure the treatment options are plenty. Botox, fillers, polishing, lasers, thread lifts, cosmetic surgery… sky is the limit. But this has to be customised to your skin. Also, don’t shy away from asking your wife to fix up a facial, manicure, pedicure and a hair salon appointment for you once a month. Vitamin supplements should also be started.

Steps for daily skin care

Cleansing

Since male skin gets dryer and thicker with age, cleansing and scrubbing is important. Though the cleanser will vary with age as well as your skin type, soap is a no-no on the face and scrub should be used only once a week or less frequently.

Toning

A toner is used after cleansing. Toners are known to soothe the skin, especially after shaving. An after shave balm can also be used instead. Toner is more helpful for oily skin prone to acne [pimples] formation. It is usually applied using cotton and dabbed all over the skin.

Moisturising

For healthy skin, moisturising is a must. If not twice a day, you need to moisturise it at least once at night before you sleep, since that’s the longest stretch of time when you don’t consume water. Use a water-based moisturiser for normal skin with very little oil content. Men with normal-to-dry and sensitive skin should use a moisturising emulsion that has a slightly milky texture. Use oil-free moisturisers for oily skin. Moisturisers are best applied soon after bath on full body.

Sunscreen

Shielding means essentially using a high SPF>30 sunscreen daily and re-applying every 3-4 hours, if need be. Many skin problems like pigmentation, sagging, wrinkles, loss of elasticity are a result of over exposure in the sun. A sunscreen not only protects you from the harmful ultraviolet rays, but also acts as a shield to dirt and pollutants in the atmosphere and prevents aging.

In a nutshell, I would say that your skin is an investment that you make very early in your life by proper skin care. Then later in life, you can reap the benefits by enjoying a good skin. And mind you, it is a secure investment. Only problem is that when it comes to improving your skin and hair, we all face a limitation and that is our genes. To a great extent, the future of our skin and hair is pre-determined, even before we were born.

What I mean to say is that if you are blessed with a good skin and hair, you know whom to thank – your parents, but even with that minimal skin care will go long way.